Fortnightly News 15/11/2019
Christmas Lunch
Christmas lunch will be on again this year on Monday 9th of December from 12 – 2pm. Numbers will be limited to 80 participants, cost is $5 per person. Food will mostly be provided by Café Ink with deserts provided by members. There will be table service. Please let Polly know if you are coming by 29 November. More information will be provided in subsequent newsletters.
Club Closing Times for the Festive Season
The Club will close at 4pm on Friday 20 December 2019 and re-open on Monday 13 January 2020. Activity groups can continue to use the Club through this period by arrangement with the front office.
Scrabble
There is a Scrabble game every Monday afternoon in the Anne Murray Room from 2.00 – 4.00 pm. New players are welcome.
Bridge Classes – all levels
Classes for all levels have resumed after a short break, every Monday at 1.30 pm.
Simple and Healthy Eats for Seniors – summer cooking
Do you know any seniors that would like some healthy eating inspiration and enjoy a lunch among like-minded people?
Simple & Healthy Eats for Seniors is a healthy eating workshop facilitated by our Accredited Practising Dietitians.
Pick up some seasonal summer cooking tips, learn new ways with old faves and finish with a group lunch featuring recipes prepared on the day.
When: Thursday 5 December 2019
11:30am – 1:30pm
Where: Community Room, Chifley Health & Wellbeing Hub
70 Maclaurin Crescent, Chifley
Cost: $10 per person, includes 2-course lunch and handbook
RSVP: Tuesday 3 December
Age of eligibility lowered to 60 for Seniors Card
The ACT Government has announced that from July 2020 Canberrans aged 60 or over will be entitled to obtain a seniors card.
Minister for Seniors and Veterans Gordon Ramsay said that older Canberrans play a substantial role in the ACT community and that allowing a greater number of older Canberrans to access concessions would benefit older Canberrans and the community more broadly.
“Our community of older Canberrans has the highest rates of volunteering and caring nationally and are the healthiest and most educated in the country,” Minister Ramsay said.
“They bring significant resources through their years of experience to the social, community and economic life of our city.
“As our city continues to grow it’s important that we ensure that older Canberrans remain engaged in our community and that they have access to the appropriate services at a reasonable cost.
“Everyone benefits when the intrinsic worth of older people and their active involvement in the community, and as decision makers, is valued and fostered.
“First and foremost, the seniors card helps ease some cost of living pressures for our older Canberrans, but perhaps more importantly than a reduction in cost is how the scheme encourages social inclusion.
“I am proud that the ACT Government is working to ensure that our city continues to grow and develop and is shaped as an age-friendly city in which the infrastructure, culture and support services enable our seniors to lead rich, happy and healthy lives,” Minister Ramsay said.
The ACT Seniors Card provides –
- a 10 per cent discount on motor vehicle registration;
- 28 per cent for electric vehicle registration
- concessional public transport fares at peak times and free travel at off peak times; and
- a broad range of discounts from private businesses.
The Seniors Card also allows seniors to access reciprocal discounts in other States and Territories.
There are around 8,500 seniors in the ACT aged 60 and 61. To be eligible for the Card, seniors must not be in paid employment for more than 20 hours per week.
LGBTI+ ELDERS DANCE CLUB COMES TO CANBERRA
When: 2-4pm, Saturday 23 November
Where: Ralph Wilson Theatre, Gorman Arts Centre, BraddonThe LGBTI+ Elders Dance Club, created by All the Queens Men, is an event that celebrates a generation discriminated against for years and who, according to recent findings, fear having to ‘return to the closet’ as they get older.
“What we are hoping, is to show that we value, respect and love older members of our community, and what better way to show that love than by dancing and celebrating life together”, says Tristan Meecham from All the Queens Men.
Many older members of society face isolation and discrimination as they age and often find themselves in retirement homes that don’t cater to their needs. Social events like the LGBTIQ+ Elders Dance Club help to combat this isolation and to foster connection, support and companionship. Under the guidance of Bec Reid and Tristan Meecham, this event provides a safe space where family, friends and allies are welcome to cut loose and dance like no one is watching.
“Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres is proud to be hosting the first ever Canberra edition of the LGBTI+ Elders Dance Club in the Ralph Wilson Theatre. This free event is part of the SpringOut Festival and will provide the opportunity for the Queer community in Canberra to connect and unite through the LGBTI+ Elders Dance Club network”, says Adelaide Rief, Program Manager at Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres.
Expression of interest –Volunteering to work with small children
The Lollipop Centre next door has lots of children in need of substitute grandparents. Would some of our members be interested in forming a small group of volunteer grandmas and/or grandpas to go and work with the children on a regular basis (e.g. once a week or a fortnight) on a day to suit. This might involve reading a story, doing craft, playing games etc.
If you are interested please give your name to Polly.
The Vegie Garden
Thanks to all those willing workers who built the wonderful vegepods. There some herbs and vegies planted. Feel free to take some leaves for your dinner. Polly has bags for you to carry your produce home. More will be planted shortly.
The gardeners meet most Fridays and plan to work on the remainder of the club surrounds. If interested in helping please leave your name with Polly.
Warrani Chorale – A Musical Celebration
Songs of friendship, hope, harmony, nature awareness and celebration
This program includes a couple of songs from well-known musicals, as well as other timeless favourites.
When: Wednesday 20 November 2019 from 10.30 – 12.00 noon
Where: Weston Creek Uniting Church
Parkinson St, Weston
Gold coin donation. Light refreshments provided
SPIRAL PROGRAM – meets at the Uniting Church, Curtin
Spiral meets at the Uniting Church in Gillies Street, Curtin on Thursday mornings. Please arrive at or before 10.00. Speakers/ performers will commence at 10.10 and most will join us for the morning tea which will follow. A $1 contribution to costs is requested.
November 21 John Morland Our Sun, our Star
Our Sun is the centre of our solar system. It is the closest star to our planet; it is our own star. It is due to it that we are here. John will talk about its physical properties, its structure, its history and its future. John will discuss how astronomers tried to find what was actually happening, what powers the sun, its effect on Earth, its magnetic field and the auroras, its atmosphere and how to safely observe our sun and the most wondrous natural event – a total solar eclipse.
November 28 or December 6 (TBC) Latham Primary School Choir
Hard to believe that this is the 10th anniversary of children from Latham Primary entertaining us. In the light of the success of the ABC TV show, Old People’s Home For 4 Year Olds, this year should be an extra memorable visit.
December 5 The Annual Spiral Christmas Lunch
A traditional lunch, starting at noon, to celebrate the end of another year where we have welcomed many new faces and been generously supported by so many people is this wonderful Canberra community. Normal service will resume on Thursday 6 February 2020.
We are people from varied backgrounds, occupations and origins. Mostly retired, ages range from 60 to 90+and there is no religious nature to our meetings. You are guaranteed a warm welcome. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me, Brett Yeats, on 6281 7684 or at yeatsb. Other contacts are Sue Driscoll on 0418 697 240 or at suedrisc and Angelika Dunker on 6281 4023 or 0491 120 556 or at angelika.dunker .